A man convicted in several cases and reportedly facing arrest warrants was seen openly attending a political programme in Mohanpur, even in the presence of police personnel, raising questions about the enforcement of court warrants by the local police.
The accused, identified as Shahin Alam, 45, was seen attending a programme organised by the Keshorhat municipality unit of BNP on September 4 to mark the party's 48th founding anniversary.
Several members of Mohanpur Police Station were present at the event. At one point, Mohanpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mizanur Rahman also attended the programme, where Shahin was seen in his vicinity.
The incident was captured on camera by this correspondent.
According to court documents and sources at Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited, Shahin has been convicted in multiple cases.
In CR Case No 237/19 of the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court-1 in Rajshahi, he was sentenced to one year in prison and fined Tk 21,86,241 under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
In another case, CR Case No 298/18 before the Joint Metropolitan Sessions Judge-2 Court, he was sentenced to one year in prison and fined Tk 20 lakh, also under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.
He was also sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined Tk 5,80,341 in Sessions Case No 818/20 before the District Joint Judge-1 Court, according to the documents.
In Sessions Case No 805/20 before the Additional District Judge-4 Court, he was sentenced to another six months in prison and fined Tk 2,31,386. Court records also indicate that an appeal in one of these cases was dismissed.
Besides these cases, an FIR was filed against him at Mohanpur Police Station on October 2, 2017, under Sections 323, 326, 307, 379, 506 and 114 of the Penal Code. The case, registered as GR Case No 178, also resulted in a two-year rigorous imprisonment sentence, according to the documents.
Sources further said an Artha Rin (loan recovery) case involving around Tk 29,95,990 is also pending against him.
‘Police keep delaying the arrest’
Local residents alleged that despite the convictions and warrants, Shahin has continued to move around openly in the area. They claimed that he has been seen near the police station gate, at the upazila premises, at political programmes and at his private chamber.
The allegations have raised questions among locals about how a convicted person facing arrest warrants could participate in a public political programme in the presence of police personnel.
Some locals have alleged that Shahin may have an understanding with police officials, but they could not provide any evidence to substantiate the allegation. The matter, therefore, warrants verification through an official investigation.
Md Abu Bakar, manager of Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd's Keshorhat SME Branch and a representative of the complainant side, said they had repeatedly requested police to arrest the accused.
“Police have repeatedly told us that they cannot find the accused and asked us to show them where he is. They keep saying they will arrest him today or tomorrow, but the arrest has not taken place,” he said.
‘I don't know whether there is a warrant’
When contacted, Mohanpur Police Station OC Mizanur Rahman said he was unaware of the allegations.
«“I don't know the accused. I don't know whether there is a warrant against him either. I will look into the matter,” he said.»
Following the OC's statement, this correspondent contacted Rajshahi Superintendent of Police Md Mamun-Or-Rashid.
The SP said he was not aware of the matter either. He asked the correspondent to visit his office with the relevant warrant documents and evidence, assuring that necessary action would be taken if the allegations were substantiated.
Legal and law-enforcement observers said the presence of a convicted and warrant-listed accused at a public event attended by police naturally raises questions about the enforcement of court orders.
Law and order experts said the incident has raised questions about the police's role in executing court warrants. They said if a convicted accused with an arrest warrant can openly attend a political programme in the presence of police, the matter warrants scrutiny.
They also questioned how the police could claim that the accused could not be found when he was allegedly moving around openly in the area.
